DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball defeated Mary Baldwin University 10-4 to earn a conference doubleheader split Saturday on Senior Day at Cougar Field. Mary Baldwin won the first game 8-7 in eight innings.

Averett (20-18, 12-8 USA South) avenged its earlier loss to Mary Baldwin (7-21, 5-15 USA South) by running over the Squirrels early. The Cougars scored four runs in the opening frame. Following a leadoff double by senior Jessica Long, freshman Kaitlyn Aherron brought her home with an RBI triple. Later in the inning, freshman Nicole Cauthen cleared the bases with a three-run double to left-center.

The Cougars tacked on another insurance run in the third on Aherron's solo homer to right field — her fifth of the season. Long made it 6-0 in the fourth when she planted a solo home run off the scoreboard in left field, her second blast of the day and fourth of the year.

Mary Baldwin trimmed its deficit to 6-3 in the fifth inning on Sam Bird's two-run double and Kristen Anderson's RBI single. However, Averett answered back with a pair of runs in the fifth to make it 8-3.

Aherron finished the second game 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Long and freshman Casey Cook each added two hits. Freshman Taylor Bailey (11-8) earned the win in the circle.

Averett was upended in eight innings in Game 1. After trailing early, the Cougars scored a pair of runs on RBI singles by Cook and sophomore Andrea Grant in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 6-6 to help force extra innings.

With a runner starting the eighth inning on second base per extra inning rules, Mary Baldwin's Dana Cromer put down a sacrifice bunt, but an errant throw to first allowed Pattie Pleasants to score from second base on the play to give the Squirrels a 7-6 advantage. Bird extended Mary Baldwin's lead to 8-6 with an RBI single through the left side moments later.

Averett got one of the runs back in the bottom of the eighth when Grant doubled home Aherron, the runner starting at second base. Grant moved over to third on a passed ball, but the Cougars were unable to bring her home as Mary Baldwin escaped with the victory.

Averett led 2-0 early on in Game 1 before Mary Baldwin plated six runs in the fourth inning to go in front 6-2. The Cougars closed the gap to 6-4 on Long's two-run blast to left-center field in the bottom of the fourth.

Senior Samantha Hall led Averett with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate and four stolen bases in the opener. Long finished with three hits and three runs scored.

Prior to the doubleheader, Averett honored Long and Hall with a Senior Day ceremony.

Averett finishes the regular season on Sunday when the Cougars travel to face conference foe Ferrum College at 1 p.m.